The Big Beat is Here – The Marterie Men

I fell in love with this record cover the moment I laid eyes on it. Nothing says 1969 like inflatable furniture — a trend that died before it’s time. This is a quintessential easy listening/lounge record. Ralph Marterie was a big band leader with a long career, and this release sees him put a contemporary, late 60s, somewhat “Esquivelian” spin on some old favorites. The back cover states, “THE BIG BEAT … the famous sound of the Big Bands is played in hit style by one of the Big Band leaders of all time, Ralph Marterie. He makes you want to dance with his swinging and rocking rhythms.”

Check out “Don’t Be That Way”:

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This was a surprise! My guess is that this isn’t from the US: I have never heard of the band (not that it’s a real name) or the label, and it sounds like you might have actually had a pressing with some vinyl in it — definitely not from the US unless it’s an advertising tie-in.